Rose plant

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant primarily identified by its white to near white buds and flowers.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of hardy,dwarf, bush type rose plant of the miniature class; the variety beingprimarily characterized -- as to novelty -- by the white to near whitebuds and flowers which generally are of exhibition (Hybrid Tea) form.

The variety is further characterized by:

An abundance of bloom, with flowers usually borne singly, but alsoseveral to the stem in loose clusters.

Little or no fragrance.

A plant which is vigorous, of rounded, upright shape with smallsemi-glossy to matt foliage with pointed leaflets; the buds and flowersbeing similar in form and size to White Angel (miniature -- U.S. PlantPat. No. 3,538).

The plant, which has a normal height of 12-14 inches or more, can easilybe maintained at lesser height by occasional trimming.

A plant which grows and blooms satisfactorily both in greenhouse andoutdoors; is good for growing in pots; and provides excellent gardendecoration as well as cut flowers.

The present variety of miniature rose was originated by me at SequoiaNursery located at Visalia, Calif., under conditions of careful controland observation, as a cross between Little Darling (U.S. Plant Pat. No.1,581, expired -- floribunda) as the seed parent and Peachy White(miniature -- not patented) as the pollen parent.

Subsequent to origination of the variety I successfully asexuallyreproduced it at Sequoia Nursery, located as aforesaid, by budding aswell as by cuttings; the reproductions having run true in all respects.

The color photograph illustrates the variety, including the foliage,buds and flowers. (Photo made of flowers grown in plastic greenhouse --color quite white).

Referring now specifically to the new and distinct variety of miniaturerose plant, the following is a detailed description thereof in outline;all major color plate identifications being by reference to the BritishColour Council Horticultural Colour Chart, except where common terms ofcolor definition are employed.

Type: Hardy; dwarf; bushy; rounded; seedling; greenhouse; outdoors; cutflowers; garden decoration; potted plant.

Class: Miniature.

Variety name.--Mistee.

Flowers borne: Singly and several together (3 to 5) on slender wireystems.

Quantity of bloom: Abundant both outside and in greenhouse.

Bud:

Peduncle.--Medium length; slender but sturdy; erect; medium to lightgreen, sometimes tinted bronze (outdoors): with no prickles and numerousvery short hairs.

Before calyx breaks.--Size -- small. Form long; pointed with severalfoliaceous apendages and occasional hairs on surface of bud; withfoliaceous parts extending beyond the tip of the bud equal to one-halfor more of its length. Color -- medium green, occasionally tinted withbronze (outdoors).

As calyx breaks.--Color -- white. Opening: opens well in all weather.

Bloom: Size when fully open -- small, averaging about 30 mm (11/4").

Petalage.--Double -- averaging about 40 petals, arranged regularly plusseveral small petaloids.

Form.-- Cupped or flat at first becoming more high centered with petalsrolled loosely outward and downward. Open flowers may show stamens.

Petals: Fairly thick; satiny on inside and on outside surface.

Shape.--Outside petals, broad lanceolate (nearly round) with acute tip;intermediate -- broad lanceolate with acute tip; inside -- lanceolatewith acute tip.

Color: Newly opened flower from a plant grown in plastic greenhouse(August 1979), Visalia, Calif.

Outside petal.--Outside surface -- near white but tinted with softyellow -- near, but lighter than Primrose Yellow 601/3, becoming darkernear base -- near Primrose Yellow 601/2. Inside surface -- lighter thanPrimrose Yellow 601/3 becoming more yellow toward base.

Intermediate petal.--Outside surface similar to outside petal. Insidesurface similar to outside petal.

Inner petal.--Outside surface -- same as intermediate petal; insidesurface -- same as intermediate petal. General color effect; buds andnewly opened flowers -- white; sometimes pale yellow (or cream) incenter. Three days open -- color (A) white when grown in greenhouse. (B)Outdoors -- white, usually becoming tinted with soft pink along petaltips (similar to Garden Party -- H. T. -- U.S. Plant Pat. No. 1,814).Behavior -- opens well in all weather. Spent petals drop off. Flowerlongevity (July -- August 1979) -- plant in pot 4-6 days or longer. Cutflowers at living room temperatures 3-5 days or longer.

Reproductive organs:

Stamens.--Arranged regularly about pistils.

Filaments.--Varying length, medium long, yellow.

Anthers.--Well formed; yellow.

Pollen.--Small amount.

Pistils.--Average number.

Styles.--Varying length; yellowish; bunched.

Ovaries.--All enclosed in calyx.

Hips.--None.

Sepals.--Permanent; spear shaped; recurved.

Seed.--None.

Foliage:

Leaves.--Compound of five (sometimes three or seven) leaflets; mediumsmall; leathery; semi-glossy to matt.

Leaflets.--Shape: broad, nearly oval; apex acute; base rounded --sometimes acute. Color: medium green; new growth -- normal (medium)green (sometimes tinted reddish, especially on back side of leaf).Rachis: medium strength; upper side may have several tiny short pricklesor hairs; grooved; underside may have several thorns (1 to 3) and few toseveral tiny short prickles. Stipules: medium to short length; mediumwidth; medium length narrow points which turn out usually at about 45degrees or more.

Growth:

Habit.--Dwarf; bushy; rounded; much branched.

Growth.--Free vigorous; internodes short.

Canes.--Medium; slender; sturdy.

Main stems.--Color: medium green.

Thorns.--Few to none. Prickles -- none. Hairs -- none.

Branches.--Color: medium green. Thorns: few or none; slender. Prickles:none. Hairs -- none.

The miniature rose plant and its flowers as herein described may vary inslight detail due to climatic, soil and cultural conditions under whichthe variety may be grown; the present description being of the varietyas grown at Visalia, Calif.

The following is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of miniaturerose plant of hardy, dwarf, bushy, rounded, much branched habit,substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by (A) budsand flowers of exhibition form, essentially white in color, the petalsbeing lightly tinted with yellow in the opening stages (buds and flowersresembling White Angel -- miniature -- U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,538 -- insize, form and color) and (B) as grown outdoors -- essentially same asabove but petal tips being tinted with pink in a pattern resemblingGarden Party (H. T., U.S. Plant Pat. No. 1,814, expired); and furthercharacterized by a plant of compact well rounded shape, vigorous, withthe main stems and shoots being nearly thornless, the said plant beingeasy to propagate from cuttings or by budding, with an abundance ofsmall semi-glossy to matt foliage and an abundance of flowers bornesingly or several to the stem in loose clusters.